This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

21 Jul 2026 at 15:50

Planning

21 Jul 2026 at 13:23

Summary of the contracting process

Bedford Borough Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for the management of its leisure facilities. This opportunity involves the operation of five leisure sites across the borough, with a long-term contract period planned from 1st February 2027 to 31st January 2041. The contract falls under the services category, specifically focusing on sporting services. Interested participants are invited to engage in a market engagement exercise by accessing the Council's e-tendering portal, In-Tend. Prospective bidders must complete and return a questionnaire by the deadline of 7th August 2026. The procurement method is set as a procurement strategy aimed at informing potential bidders about the project scope and requirements.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in leisure and sports management services. Organisations with experience in managing large-scale leisure facilities can potentially secure a long-term contract, thus ensuring a stable revenue stream for up to 14 years. Companies with innovative approaches to leisure facility management and those capable of providing comprehensive sporting services are well-placed to compete. Engaging in this tendering process offers businesses the chance to expand their portfolio in a public sector environment, directly contributing to the enhancement of community leisure services in Bedford.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Bedford Borough Leisure Facilities Management

Notice Description

Bedford Borough Council wishes to engage with potential bidders for a long term leisure operating contract, managing the operation of its current 5 sites. The Council has produced a questionnaire and invites participants to complete and feedback to inform the Council's procurement strategy. Participants are invited to register to our e-tendering portal where the questionnaire and briefing document can be downloaded and returned.

Planning Information

Participants should access Bedford's e-tendering portal, In-Tend, here: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/bedford/aspx/Home Please login or register to the portal, and locate project BBC EN 04282. Within this project, participants can locate the combined briefing and questionnaire. Please return completed questionnaires via the project correspondence function on In-Tend by 7 August at 5pm.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06cff4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068883-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

92600000 - Sporting services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jul 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
7 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2041 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BEDFORD
Postcode
MK42 9AP
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH24 Bedford
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Bedford
Electoral Ward
Cauldwell
Westminster Constituency
Bedford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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